Chandigarh: Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal has hailed the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the selected sub/project approved by Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) for the development of 4/6 laning of Khara to Ludhiana section of NH-95 (New NH-05) in Punjab.

The cost of the project is approximately Rs. 2069.70 crores including the cost of land and other pre-construction activities.

In a statement issued here, Badal thanked the Prime Minister for giving such a magnificent project for Punjab which would go a long way in expediting the ongoing pace of development in the state. She also said that the approved project under National Highways Development Projects (NHDP) Phase 5 on hybrid Annuity Mode would be highly beneficial for Punjab in giving impetus to the state’s economy and infrastructure.

The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 76 kms that would reduce the time and cost of travel particularly heavy traffic plying between Kharar-Ludhiana.

Giving details of the project, she said that the division of the project has been done into two parts i.e. Chandigarh-Kharar and Kharar-Ludhiana. It was a matter of pride for Punjab that the Chandigarh-Kharar path has already been awarded for four laning on world class engineering, procurement and construction mode.

The Union Minister further said that with the development of this stretch would also help in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of this region in the state besides it would also generate employment potential for local labourers for project activities.

She said that estimation has been done which concludes a total no. of 4,076 man-days is required for the construction of one km of the Highway. As such, employment potential of approximately 3,09,833 man-days will be generated locally till the execution of this project, she added. (ANI)